Suspected terrorists yesterday (Sunday) carried out deadly attacks on the Maranatha Baptist Church and St. Moses Catholic Church, all in villages in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State and killed three congregants while several others were injured.
The marauders, who, according to reports, came on motorcycles, also kidnapped over thirty persons and looted shops along the trail.
The commissioner for internal security and home affairs in the state, Mr. Samuel Aruwan who confirmed the incident, said two other persons sustained injuries.
“On a sad note, security agencies have reported to the Kaduna State Government that bandits attacked worshippers and locals at Ungwan Fada, Ungwan Turawa and Ungwan Makama in Rubu general area of Kajuru local government area,” the statement reads.
“According to the report, the bandits stormed the villages on motorcycles, beginning from Ungwan Fada, and moving into Ungwan Turawa, before Ungwan Makama and then Rubu.
“In Rubu village, the bandits attacked worshippers in the Maranatha Baptist Church and St. Moses Catholic Church.
“Three locals have been confirmed killed in the attacks. They are identified as follows: Peter Madaki (ward head of Ungwan Fada), Elisha Ezekiel (resident of Ungwan Fada), Ali Zamani (youth leader of Rubu).
“Two persons were left injured in the attacks: one Aniro Mai, and a yet-unidentified woman. An unspecified number of locals were also kidnapped, according to the received reports.
“The bandits looted shops and carted away some valuables from the villages.
“Receiving the report, the acting governor Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, expressed deep sadness, and condemned the attack in the strongest terms. She sent her sincere condolences to the families of the deceased victims, as she prayed for the repose of their souls.
“The acting governor also commiserated with the attacked churches, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Aruwan said in a statement.
Also confirming the incident, spokesman for the state police command, Mr. Mohammed Jalige, said the attack happened while worshippers were in church.
The invasion of the churches happened two weeks after gunmen attacked a Catholic church in Owo, Ondo state, and killed 40 people.
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) have expressed sadness over the fresh attacks.
Reacting to the attack, the vice chairman of CAN in the state, Mr. Chris Annger, alleged that the terrorists abducted 33 worshippers besides killing three.
“This is very awful and highly unreasonable for these terrorists to invade a house of God and perpetrate this evil.
“We condemn this in strong terms. The attacks on churches are increasingly irritating; we ask the agencies charged with the responsibility for protecting Nigerians to live up to their responsibilities.
“I also encourage Christians in the state to do the needful, be vigilant and ready to defend themselves both at their homes and in places of worship.
“We call on all Nigerians to support victims of these attacks and provide support to assuage their pains. May God continue to have mercy on Kaduna State,” he said.
Also reacting, spokesman for SOKAPU, Mr. Luka Binniyat, said: “SOKAPU is deeply saddened by this act of violence carried out with uncanny impunity. This impunity is feeding on the fact that the said armed herdsmen, who seem to take this criminality like a gory hobby, knew that whatever they did would not attract any sanction from the state.
“It is exactly two weeks since these armed herdsmen attacked four Adara villages in the same Kajuru LGA, aided with a gun-mounted helicopter, (according to the account survivors), and killed 32 citizens.
“As of today (yesterday), 27 persons were kidnapped in the attack. The kidnappers have placed a ransom of N500, 000 on each hostage from what we have been told.”
